Abstract

Nonlinear optical frequency mixing is one of the most important tools for fundamental applications in both classical optics (e.g. optical amplification and wavelength conversion) and quantum optics (entangled photon pair generation, etc.). Four-wave mixing (FWM) processes (either stimulated or spontaneous) are of particular interest for the community of integrated optics due to the ease of integration of χ⁽³⁾ materials in comparison to second order nonlinear materials [1]. The polarization degree of freedom plays a crucial role in nonlinear processes, often exploited to enable phase matching and, in turn, dictating the type of interaction (type 0, I, II). Despite the fact that the full vectorial nature of the FWM process has been thoroughly investigated (see e.g. [2,3]), to date almost all applications of FWM rely on the interaction of co-polarized pump(s) and signal/idler fields (type 0 phase matching).

© 2015 IEEE